Zebrafish Strains – A Brief Account of the Experimental Model

Zebrafish, though tiny in size has proven it as an important scientific tool to conduct research and understand the various biological phenomena and system. Several zebrafish strains are available which are contributing differently in deepening our understanding. A number of wild type strains are present which have originated in the various parts of the world with its own history of origin. the most common wild type strains of zebrafish are: AB, WIK and TU. All these wild type strains share same morphological features, but with genetic differences. Gradually, under laboratory conditions different mutant versions with specific morphological and biological features developed and continued as experimental model in different laboratories of the world and gained importance in experimental usages. Among them TL, Absolute, Golden, Nacre etc. are the mutant strains widely used in different biological experiments and studies. Present review will discuss on the origin, morphological, genetic and other specialists of these strains to account a comprehensive idea about the animal model and its usages.